This is the 17th studio record from Detroit, Michigan, lyricist and one of the best in the underground music scene right now, Mickey Diamond. After bursting onto the scene in the early 2000s with his debut EP Bangkok Dangerous, the guy has since built an impressive discography for himself through 16 previous albums as well as 7 EPs and a mixtape, earning him quite a bit of attention in the underground. However, since 2022, Mitch has been consistently delivering some of the best material of his career to date. These include the Gucci Ghost album and its sequel produced by Big Ghost Ltd., the Oroku Saki EP produced by Ral Duke, the Death Threat$ album produced by Sadhugold, the Capital Gains album produced by Camoflauge Monk or the recent third and fourth parts of the Gucci Ghost saga, the excellent Oroku Saki sequel Super Shredder and Gucci Gambinos. We launched Diamond Cutter this spring, recently launched Dolla $ign Diaries, and a few weeks ago, Wolf Tickets became the start of a new trilogy.
On “Peter & Paul” a soul sample is thrown right out of the gate until the drums come in, talk about hearing shit as he constantly listens to what’s going on in the streets in addition to the number of speed bumps and potholes on his way to success, citing the WWE Hall of Famer, former WWE Champion, 3x WWE Tag Team Champion, 2x NWA National Heavyweight Champion and AJPW on “High Steaks” The Throne of the World Ted DiBiase.
“Black Tears” takes a droning approach so he can talk about the struggles he goes through every day in the hood, while “Wolfenstein 3D” adds a booming piano-driven bap instrumental that suggests putting your money where your mouth is. “No Jumper” talks about how no one moves units like him, and by the time “I Dare You” ends the first half, he promises to blow up anyone who gets too close and leave snitches in the rearview mirror.
Starting with the second verse, “You Can’t Buy Love” chops up more samples, suggesting opening your eyes and reading the signs when it comes to romantic themes, while “WTF” gets into his mafia bag on a somber boom beat. “Missed Call” is about how he’s not afraid to let the gun go off, like when people call his number and he doesn’t answer, while “Michael Knight” reminds the world what kind of person he really is.
“Blood Moon” begins with a drumless rap-rock vibe that brings terror to every flow he uses, while “1 Shot Kill” closes out The Wolf, The Sheep & The Goat’s debut album, almost mocking all the other rappers out there, whether on a warm summer day or cold winter day, who cry “wolf” the moment he takes a shot and leaves them to die.
It’s hard for me to say whether Mickey Diamond will eventually make Dolla $ign Diaries available on Bandcamp and any digital streaming platform of your choice since it’s currently a physical exclusive, but what I can tell you is that he and Big Ghost Ltd. are taking a more introspective spiritual approach to Wolf Tickets, unlike the Gucci Ghost series from over a year ago or the Gucci Gambinos that quickly eclipsed Diamond Cutter, which isn’t surprising. He’s essentially looking back at everything that’s happened in his life since the Gucci Gambinos, with the same raw attitude and new perspective from him that we’ve become accustomed to.
Rating: 9/10
